An assessment of the potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) application in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silas K. Mulaudzi ◽  
Steve Bull
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic

Drivers of solar photovoltaic deployment in South African public universities: a Delphi study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nutifafa Geh ◽  
Fidelis Emuze ◽  
Dillip Kumar Das
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Public University ◽  
The Body ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Photovoltaic Energy

PurposeSolar photovoltaic energy is the fastest growing renewable energy in South Africa, and deployment at public universities is critical in order to meet the high energy demand on campuses in a more sustainable manner. To promote and support deployment, it is necessary to know the factors that drive adoption of the technology. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the factors which engender deployment of photovoltaic energy in public universities in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachThrough an extensive literature review, the factors which drive photovoltaic energy deployment were identified and a three round Delphi survey was conducted for panellists to rate the drivers. The data were analysed using SPSS Version 27, and the mean and inter-quartile range values were used to identify the significant drivers within the public university sector.FindingsThe findings suggested that the deployment of photovoltaic energy is engendered by the direct and indirect benefits, social influences and the relative advantage of photovoltaic energy usage. For instance, universities install photovoltaic energy because of the financial gains that are made through reduction of energy cost. The deployment is also motivated by the reduction of energy-related greenhouse gases, enhancement of university sustainability performance, and the contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.Originality/valueA significant contribution to the body of knowledge regarding the drivers of photovoltaic energy deployment has been made in the paper from the perspective of a public university. The contribution fills the knowledge gap in South Africa by contributing valuable information to enable decision-makers to gain better understanding of the key issues that call for more attention in promoting and supporting photovoltaic energy deployment in the sector.

scholarly journals Techno-Economic Feasibility of Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage Power System for a Soshanguve Mobile Cellular Base Station in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banjo A. Aderemi ◽  
SP Daniel Chowdhury ◽  
Thomas O. Olwal ◽  
Adnan M. Abu-Mahfouz
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Power System ◽  
Base Station ◽  
Base Stations ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Mobile Cellular ◽  
The City ◽  
Station Site

Over the years, sustainability, impact on the environment, as well as the operation expenditure have been a major concern to the deployment of mobile cellular base stations worldwide. This is because the mobile cellular base stations are known to consume a high percentage of power within the mobile cellular network. Such energy consumption contributes to the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) through the use of conventional diesel generating a set. As a result, the mobile cellular operators are faced with the dilemma of minimising the power consumption, GHG emission, and the operation cost, while improving the Quality of Service of the networks. In attempting to find a solution, this study presents the feasibility and simulation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) with battery hybrid power system (HPS) as a predominant source of power for a specific mobile cellular base station site situated in Soshanguve area of the city of Pretoria, South Africa. It also presents the technical development, showed the environmental advantage and cost benefits of using a solar PV-battery HPS to power a base station site of a 24 hrs daily load of 241.10 kWh/d and the peak load of 20.31 kW as compared to using the HPS of solar PV-diesel generating set-battery. The solar resource pattern for the city of Pretoria was collected from The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and modelled statistically. Thus, the statistical modelling done using solar radiation resource exposure characteristic patterns of Pretoria, South Africa, revealed an average annual daily solar radiation of 5.4645 Wh/m2/d and 0.605 clearness index. The simulation and the design were done using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables and Matlab/Simulink software. The simulation finding shows that the HPS of solar PV-battery combination has about 59.62 % saving on Net Present Cost, Levelized Cost of Energy, and 80.87% saving on Operating cost as against conventional BS powered with Gen Set-Battery.

scholarly journals A literature review on the potential of renewable electricity sources for mining operations in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Günter Votteler ◽  
Alan Colin Brent
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Carbon Tax ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
African Government ◽  
Usage Patterns

The economic situation of mining corporations operating in South Africa has in recent years created considerable challenges in staying globally competitive. One reason for this is the increase in average electricity costs from 7% to 20% of total operational expenses since 2007. Forecasts for the next decade predict that this development will continue at similar rates. The reliability of Eskom has also decreased, with self-generation being increasingly considered. In addition, the South African government plans to launch a carbon tax in 2016, which will further add to the costs of current electricity sources. This paper investigates the potential of renewable electricity sources for mining operations in South Africa. It is based on an extensive literature analysis, which was conducted in the form of a conceptual review. The investigation of electricity usage patterns reveals that mining operations commonly have a relatively constant day and night consumption. One of the prerequisites for a suitable source is its ability to supply electricity constantly. Most renewable sources can therefore only be used in hybrid versions, owing to relatively high intermittencies, especially with electricity supply from solar photovoltaic and wind generation. Nevertheless, the levelised costs are substantially lower than diesel generators and are already similar to Eskom tariffs, whilst also lowering carbon emissions. The business case of self-generation is shown to be positive. An on-site project can be realised through a power purchase agreement or through own investments.

scholarly journals Techno-Economic Feasibility of Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage Power System for a Soshanguve Mobile Cellular Base Station in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banjo Ayoade Aderemi ◽  
SP Daniel Chowdhury ◽  
Thomas O. Olwal ◽  
Adnan M. Abu-Mahfouz
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Power System ◽  
Base Station ◽  
Base Stations ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Mobile Cellular ◽  
The City ◽  
Station Site

Over the years, sustainability, impact on the environment, as well as the operation expenditure have been a major concern to the deployment of mobile cellular base stations worldwide. This is because the mobile cellular base stations are known to consume a high percentage of power within the mobile cellular network. Such energy consumption contributes to the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) through the use of conventional diesel generating a set. As a result, the mobile cellular operators are faced with the dilemma of minimising the power consumption, GHG emission, and the operation cost, while improving the Quality of Service of the networks. In attempting to find a solution, this study presents the feasibility and simulation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) with battery hybrid power system (HPS) as a predominant source of power for a specific mobile cellular base station site situated in Soshanguve area of the city of Pretoria, South Africa. It also presents the technical development, showed the environmental advantage and cost benefits of using a solar PV-battery HPS to power a base station site of a 24 hrs daily load of 241.10 kWh/d and the peak load of 20.31 kW as compared to using the HPS of solar PV-diesel generating set-battery. The solar resource pattern for the city of Pretoria was collected from The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and modelled statistically. Thus, the statistical modelling done using solar radiation resource exposure characteristic patterns of Pretoria, South Africa, revealed an average annual daily solar radiation of 5.4645 Wh/m2/d and 0.605 clearness index. The simulation and the design were done using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables and Matlab/Simulink software. The simulation finding shows that the HPS of solar PV-battery combination has about 59.62 % saving on Net Present Cost, Levelized Cost of Energy, and 80.87% saving on Operating cost as against conventional BS powered with Gen Set-Battery.

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